Hook Norton Parish Council

HOOK NORTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF HOOK NORTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD AT THE MEMORIAL HALL ON THURSDAY 14th APRIL 2005 AT 7.30pm
Present: Councillors: Williams [Chairman], Fry [Vice-Chairman], Hayward, Jelf, Millar, Swainbank, Walsham and Young, District Cllr Gasson, Mr Porter [Parish Clerk] and 43 members of the public.

1. Apologies For Absence

Apologies were received from Cllr Clay [recovering from operation], Cllr Terry [hospitalised] and Cllr Timms away on business].

2. Chairman’s Announcements

The Chairman wished both Cllrs Clay and Terry speedy recoveries on behalf of the PC.

3. Minutes of previous meeting, 10th March 2005, and matters arising

It was proposed by Cllr Williams, and seconded by Cllr Walsham, that the minutes of the previous meeting be passed as a true and accurate record and this was agreed unanimously. Cllr Fry then referred to his report on the Memorial Hall [Item 8] when he had informed the PC that the committee had decided to add film performances to the Licence but would not be seeking to add alcohol, other than on an occasional basis. This should have been a formal proposal to the PC and he moved acceptance. This was seconded by Cllr Williams and passed unanimously.

4. Declarations of Interest

None.

5. To invite members of the public to comment on planning applications

The Chairman informed the meeting that it had been decided at the previous meeting to move this item forward in order to provide the public attending as much time as possible to comment on the Football Club’s applications for six floodlight pylons on the existing [old] pitch and also for two spectator stands [one standing/one seated] together with two dugouts. He added that the PC would not be making a decision tonight and parishioners are able to make further representations, either to the clerk or individual councillors, and they are also able to submit objections direct to CDC. He informed those present that a number of councillors had attended a game at Ardley, where there are similar pylons, and as their pitch is also within Cherwell District it was felt that this would provide some guidance on the criteria the local authority might be prepared to accept. Finally he thanked everyone for attending and commented that it was the largest turnout in his time as chairman, which clearly reflected the interest in this particular issue. He then invited parishioners to express their views, although he also enjoined them to stick to the issue of the planning application.
Jan Hughes opened the discussion by saying that she has no objection to the advancement of sports within the village but strongly objects to the six poles housing the floodlights which, if now within the village envelope, only made them closer to homes. She was not content to be told that the light spillage would not affect them when houses around the sports complex already suffer from the pollution caused by the tennis club lights. This view was echoed when it was pointed out part of the village around Clay Bank is probably fifteen feet below the level of the pitch exacerbating the effect of the lights in that area. Comment was also made that the present lights create an eyesore when seen from the Chipping Norton road and the new ones will be far worse. Christopher Barry expressed the view that parking is at present inadequate if the new stands are to accommodate up to 200 spectators and, while this is not part of the current application, Cllr Millar made the point that a potential increase in traffic volumes would be. Tim Burchell informed the meeting that the club rarely sees crowds of this size. Another parishioner added that the cricket club has 140 junior members and crowds for cricket are usually greater than for football. It was also pointed out that a lot of spectators walk to matches. Questions were raised about the impact it would have on the current status of the club within the Hellenic League if lights were not provided and queries were also raised about the impact on other clubs in the league. Alan Bruton was able to tell the meeting that he had been in touch with the Hellenic League and the criteria to have floodlights in place will now be a requirement for the 2007/8 season, but they are looking to restructure the divisions and teams without lights would still be able to play, although at a lower level from that currently enjoyed by the HN team. He also pointed out that, although Ardley has floodlights, the area is unattractive and already suffers light pollution from the nearby M40 and adjacent Service area. Geoff James, the Secretary of the Football Club, confirmed that the requirements for floodlights have moved from the 2006/7 season and that a number of clubs have made representations to the league in the hope of being accommodated without floodlighting. This has yet to be decided but lack of floodlights will certainly mean demotion. Concern was voiced about additional spectators parking in The Bourne but a regular spectator countered that he had never seen the car park at the ground full. One parishioner pointed out that he had grown up in the village and the football club had become a great focus for himself and his friends and if the club is unable to continue at the present level it will remove a structure and goal for the present generation of children. Ben Speiro, the first team manager, informed the meeting that the club has been restructured in liaison with the junior division resulting in a higher proportion of locals now playing and recently two 16-year olds had played for the first team. This trend should only continue with the aim being to establish an academy developing children from the age of 8. One of the younger members of the club, Robert Young, spoke up in favour of the lights as he wished to play first team football and very much wanted the experience of playing under lights. The meeting was told that consultations with CDC have emphasised that very strict conditions would be imposed which would mean that the lighting can only be used for a maximum of 12 evening matches [and would have to be extinguished by 10pm] and also lights would not be allowed between 3-5pm on Saturday afternoons. However the view was expressed that six large floodlight pylons are totally out of keeping in a village environment and Doug Marshall pointed out that, although of a lower density than the tennis club lights, these will be mounted very much higher and 31000 watts of lighting would cast a significant glow over the village.
At this point the Chairman drew the discussion to a close but thanked everyone for their representations. Cllr Gasson informed the meeting that the matter is currently designated “delegated” but he will ask that it go to North Area Planning Committee, which means that it will be debated publicly and parishioners can attend that meeting.

6. Report by Planning Co-ordinator on planning applications received

In the absence of Cllr Timms the clerk referred to the planning schedule accompanying the agendas and reported that permission had been granted on two matters that the PC had initially objected to, the development at The Orchard, Queen Street and side and rear extension to Woodlands, Brick Hill, but Mike Buxton had separately written to us explaining the reasons why CDC had felt it appropriate approve the developments. These have been separately copied to councillors. Cllr Millar pointed out that retrospective planning permission is being sought for the wall at Pennyfarthing, Bells Lane, and there was some discussion about whether we should ask for this to be referred to committee. However it was ultimately decided that it is inappropriate to do so but Cllr Gasson was able to assure the PC that retrospective applications are treated in exactly the same way as ordinary ones.

7. Schedule of Receipts and Payments for Authorisation by the Council

Mr Porter presented the attached schedules of receipts and payments for authorisation and added that he had received several bills during that week, hence the need for a supplementary list. Cllr Young asked whether the users would be required to meet the costs of the repairs to the boiler at the NMCH. Cllr Jelf was unable to give a definite answer as this is something the Management committee will have to discuss. Cllr Young pointed out that assurances had been given that the PC would not have to subsidise the NMCH in future. Cllr Williams moved acceptance of the payments detailed and this was seconded by Cllr Fry and passed unanimously.

8. Car Parking on Pavements in the village

In the absence of Cllr Timms this item was deferred to a later meeting.

9. Correspondence

(a) CDC – Street Nameplates – request to locate and provide information on all street nameplates in Hook Norton. Given the size of the village it was agreed that this is an onerous task but a note will be put in the next Newsletter reminding parishioners to let the clerk know of any damaged or missing signs;
(b) CDC – David Marriott – Affordable Housing – update on present position. Clerk asked to enquire further, reminding him that PC committed to the development;
(c) OCC – New County Council Electoral Boundaries
(d) Licensing Solutions – The Pear Tree – request re transfer of the Justices Licence, no objections;
(e) OCC – Newsletter March – informing us that OCC a “good” Council!
(f) OCC – Consultation on Draft Local Transport Plan – draft LTP and draft Bus Strategy received. The clerk had skimmed the 220 pages and had not found anything of significance impacting upon Hook Norton.

10. Questions and Comments from Members of the Public

There was no further comment on this occasion.

11. Date and Time of Next Meeting

Thursday 12th May 2005, the Annual Parish Meeting starting at 7pm with the monthly meeting following as near as possible to 7.30pm.